Medical/biological study (experimental study)

In vitro effect of cell phone radiation on motility, DNA fragmentation and clusterin gene expression in human sperm med./bio.

By: Zalata A, El-Samanoudy AZ, Shaalan D, El-Baiomy Y, Mostafa T

Published in: Int J Fertil Steril 2015; 9 (1): 129-136

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of human sperm to an 850 MHz electromagnetic field from a mobile phone on different sperm parameters should be investigated.

Background/further details

Clusterin is a protein, which is overexpressed in stressed tissues and appears to be potentially related pathophysiological processes. Acrosin is the major proteinase present in the acrosome of mature spermatozoa, and it is important for fertilization.
Semen samples were collected from 124 donors. Each sample was analyzed in respect of the semen quality according to WHO guidelines. Afterwards, samples were divided into the following groups: 1) normal sperm quality (n=26), 2) decreased sperm motility (n=32), 3) decreased sperm motility and increased rate of sperm malformations (n=31) and 4) severely decreased sperm motility and malformations of sperms (n=35). Each sample was divided into two portions: one for exposure to the electromagnetic field and one without exposure as the control group.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: sperm parameters

Exposure

- 850 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 850 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 60 minutes	power: 1 W maximum SAR: 1.46 W/kg

General information

all samples were kept and exposed at room temperature

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	850 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 60 minutes

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	10 cm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	1 W	maximum	-	-	-
SAR	1.46 W/kg	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
human spermatozoa

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA fragmentation (propidium iodide staining, flow cytometry)
molecular biosynthesis: clusterin gene expression in human sperms (semiquantitative real-time RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis); clusterin protein expression (Western blot, colorimetric immunohistochemical assay)
cell function: acrosin enzyme activity (semiquantitative determination of gelatin degradation on object slide around single sperms; phase contrast microscopy), sperm motility (sperm motility, sperm linear velocity, sperm linearity index)
effects on the reproductive system: see "cell function", "molecular biosynthesis" and "genotoxicity/mutation"

Investigated system:

DNA/RNA
intact cell/cell culture

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In group 1 (normal sperm quality), the gene expression and protein expression of clusterin as well as the DNA fragmentation were significantly increased in sperms exposed to the electromagnetic field compared to the control group.
In all other groups (2-4, with pre-experimental sperm quality deficiencies), sperm motility and acrosin enzyme activity were significantly decreased and the gene expression and protein expression of clusterin as well as the DNA fragmentation were significantly increased compared to the control group. A trend towards enhanced effects in sperms with more severe pre-experimental sperm quality deficiencies could be observed.
The authors conclude that exposure of human sperm to an 850 MHz electromagnetic field from a mobile phone could have detrimental effects on sperms.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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